return

Everyday

1. To return is to come back or go back to a place. tree →
2. To return something is to give it back or bring it back. tree →
3. A return is the going back, or the coming back: on her return. tree →
4. A return (ticket, trip) is there and back. tree →
5. Return is also the key on a keyboard for a new line, and money earned back. tree →
6. To return can also mean to answer someone in speech. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: coming back on a trip (the way back adds distance) or giving back books, money or things; a return trip doubles a distance (there and back). In everyday life: returning library books, returning a faulty toy to the shop, «many happy returns». In science: a boomerang returns; birds return in spring. In stories: «the hero's return».

Examples

• He drove 30 miles to the lake and returned home. tree →
• She returned 4 library books. tree →
• The shop returned $5 to him. tree →
• The return trip took 2 hours. tree →
• Please return your books by Friday. tree →
• The swallows return every spring. tree →
• A boomerang returns to the thrower. tree →
• She bought a return ticket to the city. tree →
• Press return to start a new line. tree →
• "No, sir, by design," returned Aladdin. tree →

Note

A return trip often doubles a distance (there and back); things returned to someone are added to them and taken from the giver. Trap: forgetting the way back in a round trip. «Return back» is extra: «return» already means go back. UK «return ticket» = US «round-trip ticket».

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it often means to go back to a place, and also to turn back to God. The Hebrew word for repentance, teshuvah, comes from this same idea of turning back.

Interpretation. Tradition says that to return to God is to repent, and the festival of Yom Kippur is about this kind of returning.

Examples

• And Laban departed, and returned unto his place. (Torah GEN.31.55, JPS 1917) tree →
• Go say to them: Return ye to your tents. (Torah DEU.5.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir. (Torah GEN.33.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he returned, and came to Achish. (Prophets 1SA.27.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then David returned to bless his household. (Prophets 2SA.6.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Mordecai returned to the king's gate. (Writings EST.6.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A return trip often doubles a distance (there and back); things returned to someone are added to them and taken from the giver. Trap: forgetting the way back in a round trip. «Return back» is extra: «return» already means go back. UK «return ticket» = US «round-trip ticket».